USCCB steps up

It won't make much difference to the almost-Catholic Politicians, but it is nice to see the USCCB taking their role as shepherds seriously. It isn't the smack-down some want, but it is a response and it includes Catholic teaching.

USCCB Responds To 18 Democrats Critical Of Pope

In an unfortunate May 10 statement, 18 of the 88 Catholic Democrats in
the U.S. House of Representatives criticized Pope Benedict XVI’s
remarks concerning Mexican lawmakers legalizing abortion. The
Representatives’ statement misrepresents the Holy Father’s
remarks and implies that the Church does not have a right to voice its
teaching in the public square.

The Holy See has made clear that neither the Mexican bishops nor the
Holy Father have excommunicated any legislator. Rather, the Holy See
reiterated longstanding Church teaching that anyone who freely and
knowingly commits a serious wrong, that is, a mortal sin, should not
approach the Eucharist until going to confession.

“The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that
the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision of
society.” (United States Catechism for Adults, p. 442)
Consequently, every Catholic is obliged to respect human life, from
conception until natural death.

To suggest that the Church should not clearly voice its teaching and
apply it in a pluralistic society is to attack freedom of speech and
freedom of religion. The Catholic Church always will and must speak out
against the destruction of innocent unborn children. The right to do so
is guaranteed by the Constitution that all legislators are elected to
uphold. Speaking and acting against abortion is not a matter of
partisan politics. It is a matter of life and death.

The bishops urge all Catholics, especially those who hold positions of
public responsibility, to educate themselves about the teaching of the
Church, and to seek pastoral advice so that they can make informed
decisions with consistency and integrity.[emphasis added]